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The fashion industry is the second biggest polluter in the world. Major brands are exploiting garment workers and harming the environment in the production of shoes and clothing. However, there has been a rise in sustainable fashion brands, making everything from sportswear to underwear who are putting people and the planet before profit.

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As food & drink prices continue to rise across the world, it is often the producers and workers who are losing out to big corporations. We shine a light on the food sovereignty movement pushing for a fairer food system that supports local business and we comment on the rise of veganism.

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Many of the issues from our homes & garden are often hidden from the consumer, from toxic chemicals in our cleaning products to pesticides in our garden. We look at the greenest way to wash, clean and cook and how to recycle your old appliances.

The mainstream banking & insurance industries continue to invest in shady investments such as fossil fuels and nuclear weapons. However, a growing number of ethical alternatives makes it easier than ever to switch to a sustainable bank account or pick an insurance company with an ethical policy.

We look at shops or online platforms that sell a range of products, and how they tend to dominate the market by implementing a profit-first business model and by having a lacklustre approach to ethical practice. We also celebrate ethical companies offering an alternative, from online retailers to sustainable fashion brands.

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The tech sector is plagued by reports of tax avoidance, corporate lobbying and the use of conflict minerals. We look at the brands proving that technology can be made ethically, from Fairphone to Green ISP.

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Are you a lover of the outdoors? Unfortunately the companies that provide your outdoor gear & transport are often harming the environment; from car companies cheating emission tests to outdoor gear companies using toxic chemicals that damage the environment. We provide practical information for consumers on how to keep your ethics while you travel.

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CTRLshift — An emergency summit for change

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Tuesday 16th of April 2019

Josef Davies-Coates tells us about an emergency summit for change taking place in May.

The social, economic and environmental failures of the current system are being cruelly exposed by rising inequality, social division, increasingly precarious and insecure employment, an alarming loss of biodiversity and accelerating climate change. On a personal level, an increasing number of people are struggling to meet basic needs of food and housing and to maintain positive mental health.

A better future exists

Across the UK, individuals, organisations and networks are working to create a future that is inclusive, collaborative, and creates shared benefits. We are creating affordable low carbon housing, local food, renewable energy, sustainable transport, and alternative finance systems from the ground up. Cooperative solutions, entrepreneurial innovation and new forms of democratic and social change are showing ways forward and, in some rare places, building local partnerships with the public sector.

But we lack voice and coordination

Whilst many of the people working for a more participatory, inclusive and regenerative future share a set of values and are working towards similar goals, our work remains fragmented and siloed. We have yet to demonstrate that we can bring together the different components we are each engaged in to create an alternative system, and our advocacy and policy work lacks voice and coordination.

In the (probable) departure from the EU and its aftermath, there will be unprecedented opportunities to shape the future of the UK.

Help shape a positive future

CTRLshift seeks to catalyse a network of change-making organisations, networks and independent practitioners, to work together to form a broad campaign for positive social, economic and environmental change.

At our first event in Wigan over 100 organisations and networks came together.

We believe that the best way to effect change is to bring together those working to reform the system with those actively building practical radical alternatives on the ground. We want to bring together activists, organisers and entrepreneurs to develop a shared agenda to shift power over our democracy, economy and environment, from Westminster and multinational corporations, to people and communities across the UK.

Four sectors and the new municipalism

To make the society level changes that are needed, it is essential that the four main sectors – Civil Society, (local) Government, (social) Business, and Academia – can all bring their special contribution. We also have to work across the political spectrum.

Action at the local level is where much of this can come together, hence the recognition and support of the ‘new municipalism’ approach. National policy change is clearly needed too and, again, we are stronger if we work together.

Date: 9-10th May 2019

Venue: Potbank Hotel / Spode Works, Stoke-on-Trent

An invitation to get involved

The event is being run on a cost of service/non-profit making basis. Key organisations will be invited to send representatives. If you would like to get more involved, please contact Jay Tompt jay@transitiontowntotnes.org to talk about partnership opportunities, or Andy Goldring andyg@permaculture.org.uk to talk about getting involved in working groups and planning ahead.

In February 2018, Shell bought energy-provider First Utility, meaning that it would be providing gas and electricity directly to UK-households for the first time. Now, it has rebranded the provider Shell Energy and switched it to 100% renewable. Yet, Shell continues to produce 10% of the oil and gas used in the UK.
Is one of the world’s biggest polluters trying to green-wash or is it making strides to de-carbonise its core business?

Climate change has been in the media spotlight several times over the past few months thanks partly to the release of the frack-free three from Preston prison in September, which was followed by the launch of ‘Extinction Rebellion’ at the end of October.

Three partners, including Carbon Co-op and Stitched Up, have withdrawn from the Manchester Science Festival following news that Shell will be the major sponsor of The Manchester-based Science and Industry Museum (SIM)’s new exhibition – ‘Electricity: the spark of life’. This exhibition is due to launch alongside the Science Festival on the 18th October.